In the Gospel of John, we read of an account of a ‘blind man’ from the day of his birth. We read that Jesus did not lay His hands upon the eyes of the man and say “be healed” – He did something quite different. We read from chapter 9 verses 6 and 7, “Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes. 7 He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing!”
Reading the account quickly we can miss several things! Firstly, the pool of Siloam was some distance – possibly up to 100 metres away from where they were. Secondly, the ‘way’ to the pool would have presented some hazardous obstacles, especially to someone being blind! And thirdly, why did Jesus leave ‘mud’ on the eyes of the man and say ‘wash yourself’?
Jesus can and still heals instantly. On this occasion, then man had to do a bit of work himself, and not just a little. The pool of water where Jesus said to go was a fair distance and the man himself had to go alone and find it! How desperate was he for His healing? Would he obey the instruction of Jesus and do as he says? This was not an easy task and also does he believe that healing was actually coming after the washing? How crazy! Really?
When Jesus speaks to us and gives us direction, do we doubt? Do we obey His instruction even though the instruction seems illogical? Will we navigate the journey with its hazards ‘blindly’ and just simply trust Jesus? And do we believe? The man upon reaching the pool of Siloam and washing his eyes as instructed, received his sight and miracle! How would he have reacted? I imagine a sense of sheer joy and exuberance and extreme gratitude to Jesus! In the account of the story, Jesus said the man was born blind that “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him”(John 9 verse 3)
The Power of God can be seen through Him. Jesus looks to us to obey and follow His instructions. If we love Him and obey Him, He will manifest His glory and power through it! The promise is still for today!
So, like the blind man, he received the ‘odd’ instruction with mud on his eyes! – worked his way in obedience to the destination of the instruction given and upon reaching the pool received his miracle! Let us simply ‘obey’ Jesus – let our faith in His Word be enough and His power be displayed through obedience of His word. Amen.
